…Terror attack on Igbeti-Igboho Road

…Charges Southwest Governors to act on pronouncements on security

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Tuesday expressed serious worries over the latest upsurge in banditry in the south western part of Nigeria.

In a press statement by the organization’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the apex Yoruba organization cited the latest bandit action on Igbeti-Igboho Road, kidnap incidents in Ondo, Kwara and Kogi states as well as the reported threat by bandits to unleash terrorism in Osun State with a view to imperilling the forthcoming general elections.

It would be recalled that bandits reportedly attacked the base of Operation Burst inside the Forest Reserve of Oyo National Park. Operation Burst was set up by the former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi to combat the then festering criminal activities within the state. Subsequent administrations sustained the Operation.

The Operation is made up of personnel drawn from various official security agencies in the state such as the Army, Police and Amotekun.

Reports have it that the bandits set fire on the base and the operational vehicle of the security agency, although no life was lost.

The Afenifere spokesman said: “Condemnable as the destruction was, Afenifere is particularly worried about this in view of what preceded the kidnapping incident in the Oriire local government area of the same state in May this year. It would be recalled that the base of the Forest Guards in that area was attacked with five officers murdered during the attack. Not long after, teachers and students were kidnapped in some schools in the particular local government area (Oriire). Some people lost their lives in the process.

“We, in Afenifere are seriously concerned and hope that this would not be a precursor of a dastardly incident to come. In many communities where fatal attacks and/or kidnapping incidents have occurred, ‘Aroko’, that is, indicators were always given like a prior notice or minor terror acts meant to serve as a warning. Such took place in Ekiti, Ifelodun, Baruten, Kaiama and Edu local government areas of Kwara State, in communities in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Kogi, Sokoto, Katsina, Borno and Nassarawa States to mention a few”.

Ajayi also referenced the alert by the Department of State Services (DSS) that terrorists are planning to attack worship and public gathering centres in Osun State with a view to imperilling the forthcoming general elections. Other places planned for attacks include schools, market places, motor parks and so on.

“First, we call on the authorities concerned not to take these indicators lightly. It is gratifying to note that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu kept harping on putting a stop on the menace of banditry and terrorism in the country. Minister of State for Defence, Mallam Bello Matawale, in the course of his visit to Kano, reiterated this point. We call on all those concerned to put more effort into making the desire of the President to stop terrorism and banditry in the country realizable within the shortest time possible”.

Afenifere particularly challenged security agencies, politicians, religious and community leaders to come out boldly not only to condemn the dastardly acts but to work seriously at putting an end to it forthwith. The organization observed that terrorists who carry out attacks always move on motorbikes.

“For this reason, it is important to briskly interrogate and seriously challenge two or more armed people moving as a convoy. As a corollary to this, we commend the Oyo State Government for the purchase of two surveillance aircraft. We appeal to it to urgently deploy the aircraft so that they can begin immediate operation”.

Among the immediate measures recommended by Afenifere to be taken are:
Enhanced surveillance especially with needed modern technologies devised for security purposes.

Increase security presence in Forest areas
Ensuring that seemingly ‘ungovered places’ are reduced to the barest minimum.
Traditional rulers, local hunters and community leaders be met with and mobilized by the government with a view to committing them into ensuring that security in their respective areas is assured and tightened.

Necessary arms of government should arrest people who have been alleged to be connected one way or the other with banditry, kidnapping and terrorism. They should be made to go through the necessary procedures as laid down by the law. In this case, relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Anti-Terrorism Act 2022 be enforced without delay.

Afenifere called on the Southwest Governors to put into action various pronouncements they have made on ending insecurity in the region including the decision they took at the security meeting they held in Ibadan, Oyo State on November 25, 2025 as well as the re-enactment of ‘Operation Kosaye’ launched between Lagos and Ogun States.